What You Need To Know About Crazy Ants

June 15, 2018

Usually, when you see a line of ants walking across a sidewalk, up the side of a building, or even across your kitchen, they walk in a straight, orderly line and look like they have a purpose. But, what would you think if you saw ants moving in a more erratic or jerky manner? You might say that they are acting crazy, and well, you wouldn’t exactly be wrong. What you are probably seeing is a group of crazy ants. In Florida, there are two common types of crazy ants that people need to be aware of: the black crazy ant and the Caribbean crazy ant. It is important to take measures to prevent these pests from invading your home, where they can contaminate food and cause health risks for you and your family. Let’s take a closer look at these ants:

Black Crazy Ants

Black crazy ants, as you may have already guessed from their name, are typically black in color, although sometimes they are also a dark brown. These ants travel in loose unorganized trails that can be up to one hundred feet long, but when disturbed, they move erratically and with no specific direction. Another distinct feature of the black crazy ant is that they have long antennae and longer legs than other ants their same size. These ants are active year-round in Florida and feed on dead insects and honeydew that is produced by whiteflies and other insects.

While black crazy ants and Caribbean crazy ants have many differences they both pose many of the same dangers inside of homes and to people. When either species invades a home, they can contaminate food sources and food preparation areas, and have the potential to damage electrical equipment, trigger allergies, and introduce bacteria and viruses into your home that are found on their bodies and legs. Both breeds of crazy ants are very active and thrive in the hot weather that summer brings; but if the summer heat becomes too hot for them to live comfortably, they will look to move inside where the temperature is a bit more bearable and they have easy access to food, water, and shelter.

Caribbean Crazy Ants

Caribbean crazy ants, in addition to their fast and erratic movements, can be identified by their smooth and glossy body that is a golden-brown to reddish-brown color. These ants are active year-round inside of homes and other buildings and can be active outside if the temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. These ants aggressively forage for food and if they discover a food source, it will be covered in these ants within a very short period of time. These ants travel in very large groups with numbers that can reach the thousands; their large numbers make them very difficult to eradicate from homes and properties.

To protect your Florida property or home from becoming a home to either Caribbean crazy ants or black crazy ants, it is important to be proactive in and around your home and put into place professional ant control services from Florida’s pest control experts - Nozzle Nolen. Things that you can do in and around your home to prevent problems with crazy ants include:

Seal all possible points of entry around the house including small openings and cracks around doors and windows, in the foundation, and in exterior walls.

Trim vegetation away from the home to prevent easy access to pathways that lead inside of your home.

Food spills and crumbs and other potential food sources should be eliminated inside of your home.

To protect your Florida property from crazy ants and other common household pests we offer year-round pest protection plans all which include eco-friendly bimonthly services and are Green Shield Certified. Contact Nozzle Nolen for more information on how you can prevent Caribbean crazy ants and black crazy ants from taking over your Florida home this summer and throughout the rest of the year!